Our People

William S. Cherry III

Partner

Will joined Manning Fulton’s litigation practice after graduating from Campbell Law School in 2005. Will works with a wide variety of business clients of all types and sizes, located throughout North Carolina and nationwide. He provides strategic counsel to assist clients in identifying and avoiding legal risks and pitfalls and litigates their disputes in state and federal court, before state and federal administrative agencies and in arbitration.

About

Will is the head of Manning Fulton’s Employment Law practice and assists clients in handling claims related to discrimination, retaliation, non-competes, trade secrets and wage and hour issues. He has represented clients in employment litigation disputes ranging from discrimination claims involving a few thousand dollars in controversy, to bet the company non-compete and trade secret claims, to multi-million dollar wage and hour class action lawsuits. Will advises clients daily on employment best practices, policies and procedures, and employment termination issues, effectively working as outside legal counsel to assist business owners and HR managers with their day-to-day employment law needs.

In addition to his employment law practice, Will represents large and small businesses and individuals in matters involving trademark, data security and privacy, real property, franchise and construction disputes and litigation. He has represented franchisors and franchisees located throughout the country in complex business litigation matters pending in North Carolina state and federal courts and in various arbitration forums.

Will has been recognized multiple years by Best Lawyers in America and North Carolina Super Lawyers. Will is fluent in Spanish. Prior to his legal career, he lived and worked in Matagalpa, Nicaragua as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer helping small businesses and working and working with youth as a Scoutmaster for a boys and girls Scout troop in Nicaragua, imparting knowledge he obtained himself as an Eagle Scout from Troop 207 in Raleigh.

Will has been a valuable asset in helping The Butcher’s Market navigate its legal needs as a growing business in the Triangle area. Will’s commercial litigation experience and expertise has assisted the Butcher’s Market in defending our brand from outside threats, while always working with us, as a team member, to understand our unique business and assist us in meeting our needs in an effective and efficient manner.

Craig Wilkins CEO/Owner | The Butcher's Market

Will has consistently been a valuable resource for our company and is usually our first call to discuss a legal issue, as his breadth of knowledge and expertise lends itself to addressing our needs. He has represented us in litigation as defendants and plaintiffs, reviewed various types of contracts, and offers counsel on general legal matters, but no matter the circumstances he has done so with honesty and integrity. Will always provides sound guidance, fights for our company, and does not shy away from providing his truthful assessments or recommendations on matters if they’re in the best interest of our company, even when it may be something we’d rather not hear.